What Chevy V8 Should I Use?

Question

I Plan on building a 1989 Chevy S-10 Pickup 2 wheel drive had the 4.3L tbi V6 motor in it but plan on putting a small block chevy in it V-8. I see way to many 350 S-10's and sure don't wanna use a 305. any idea's? I do plan on rebuilding the whole motor once I find a good idea block..

Answer 1

Why down on the 305? 20% more displacement than your current motor.



No, they are not great motors, and physically same size as the 350, but if you don't plan on doing any real crazy mods to it, why go with a 350? As long as acquisition cost is less, and parts cost is the same or less (and should be, if stock rebuild) then no reason not to use the 305. They hold up perfectly well, and again, with 20% more displacement than the 4.3, would still be no slouch.



Normally I say just dump a 350 in there, but since you don't want a 350, I say 305. I mean you could use a 307 or 327, but the 327 is the same bore as a 350, and THAT would be dumb.



I guess a 302 could be cool just to say you have one, but that's a fair bit of work when you could have a 350.



I completely agree with other posters on using the LS series of engines over any of my above suggestions, if they will fit the S10. I know the small block installs have been done to death, if the LS fits without too many crazy expensive parts, it would be a fun build. Throw a T56 behind it and have a fun driver. The LS' out of trucks are common now, and not crazy expensive. They last a LONG time due to the fuel injection and design, so even at 100,000 miles the bores are still in great shape. I'd look for lower miles, that was just an example of why they are so good.



Edit: and country, no, all trucks did not have forged cranks and four bolt mains. It depended solely on year and WHAT truck they were installed in. Not all had forged cranks, nor four bolt mains. No one has a listing of all engines (which CAN be determined by suffix code, not casting) that did or did not have four bolts.

Answer 2

Use a later model LS series engine from something like a newer F Body or an engine from a late model truck.



See the link below. This company can alter the wiring harness and computer from a late model F Body or truck to make it a complete stand alone unit that could be used in your truck. Costs only about $400 for them to streamline the wiring harness and program the computer. You would have something that no one else in your area has. You still have the modern electronic fuel injection so you retain the crisp throttle response and the engine will just run nice. They can even alter the computer to retain the modern transmission like a 4L60E.



Just make sure you get the engine you also get the complete wiring harness for the computer and engine completely in tact. Many auto salvage yards will extract the engine this way if you ask them.



The company that makes these wiring and computer alterations needs to know as much about the donor vehicle as possible. Exact year, make, and model. Engine size. What changes you want done.



I would think an old S10 with a late model 6.0L engine making 300 HP from a mid 2000's Chevy or GMC truck would be very cool. A very nice platform for future modifications because it has an iron block. But many LS series car engine parts will fit this engine. Or maybe an aluminum LS1 from a Z/28 or Trans AM. Or maybe an LS3 engine from a late model Vette. Way cool

Answer 3

All Chevrolet pick-up V-8 engines have a forged steel crankshaft and four bolt main bearings. I would go with a ZZ-383 motor from a Chevrolet parts department. When you buy the 2013 Chevrolet Performance, Vehicles, Parts, Racing Catalog (part number 88958760) it will tell you every additional GM part to make the ZZ-383 produce 425 hp. and 449 lb.ft. of torque. The catalog whll show you what you have to do to a four bolt main 350 block to make clearance for the Chevrolet 3.800 stroke crankshaft which is not a lot of work.



An LS motor takes up too much space, too heavy and costs too much to make 425 hp.

Answer 4

take a 4 bolt main 350 block, bore it .030 over, and put a 400 crank with matching rods, .030 over pistons, put a set of fuelie heads on it with the big valves, a comp xe262h cam kit, hydraulic lifters, standard length push rods, standard rockers, honey comb springs, then your choice of efi or carbureator set up in, and you will have a small block 383 stroker making about 390 hp and 460 lbs of torque, assuming you have headers, 600 cfm induction, efi or carb, and a high flow dual plane intake.

Answer 5

the 305 is ok but a bit weak. the 350 has been used with great success for a long time. the desired results ends up being the variable here. if you want a work horse, the 7.4 would do it but you would be changing more that just the engine.

Answer 6

you cant really go too much bigger than a 350 without extensive body work maybe a 383 but you see a lot of 350's because its a lot of parts readily available